Aliquippa (15-0) takes on Wyomissing (15-0) Saturday at noon in the PIAA Class AA football championship game. Patriot-News writers Eric F. Epler and Andrew P. Shay break down the matchup. WYOMISSING SPARTANS' KEYS TO VICTORY1. First things first. Over the last two seasons, the Spartans have outscored opponents 436-21 in the first quarter. Getting the jump on the Quipps would deck that WPIAL mystique. 2. Let’s get physical. Until last week, heavy-handed Aliquippa has not really been engaged down the stretch. Channel that push against Imhotep and bring it home.

ALIQUIPPA QUIPS' KEYS TO VICTORY 1. Get past the linebackers. The Quips will run the ball every play if they can. Wyomissing has excellent linebackers, and breaking past them is the key to keeping drives alive. Short bursts won’t get the job done. 2. Make the right reads on defense. A big push up front will make a huge difference defensively. But the Spartans Wing-T is a mix of power and speed. Follow the guards and be disciplined.  EPLER’S PICK: Wyomissing 25, Aliquippa 22. SHAY’S PICK: Aliquippa 26, Wyomissing 21.  Helpful informationComplete PIAA Class AA football bracketFull roster:Aliquippa | WyomissingSchedule and results:Aliquippa | Wyomissing

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POSITIONAL TALE OF THE TAPE

QUARTERBACK Aliquippa: Nothing about this offense is built on throwing, but if the Quips needs to go vertical senior Malik Shegog has proven capable. He’s only thrown 64 passes but has eight touchdowns. Also a solid runner with 600-plus yards. Wyomissing: Joe Cacchione has managed the offense for most of the season, but the Spartans have recently added Fleetwood transplant Corey Unger to the mix. It’s still a run-heavy approach, but Unger is 8 of 12 in the last week and a half. Edge: Even.

RECEIVERS Aliquippa: With only 33 completion’s in the bank through 15 weeks, there isn’t a go-to guy. Senior Hassahn Thompson tops a short list with eight grabs for 233 yards. Wyomissing: When the Spartans do chuck it, look for thrifty Gerald Burns or TE Spencer Lloyd on the other end. The tandem shares 23 of Wyo’s 49 completions for just over 500 stripes. Might be needed for extended duty here.Edge: Aliquippa.

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OFFENSIVE LINE Aliquippa: Including the tight end, this six-pack up front has guided Aliquippa to a staggering 5,536 yards on the ground. That’s 369.1 yards rushing a game. Junior Jaleel Fields is massive and getting Division I looks. Wyomissing: You can’t secure nearly 4,700 rushing yards without a credible front line. The Spartans have one with OTs Cody Cox, Wyatt Metzger and C Ben Wertz weighing in. Two-way standout Connor Reedy is a handful. Edge: Aliquippa.

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DEFENSIVE LINE Aliquippa: Nothing like a five-man front to counter the Spartans Wing-T. All three inside guys are massive. The ends, Marquis Jenkins and Chris Ingram, are more like outside backers and bring some heat off the edge. Wyomissing: It’s not all about the LBs on this side because grunts Jeriko Reyes, Josh Naylor and NG Logan Jones have done their part in holding 12 of 15 opponents to 13 points or less. Bookends Lloyd and Reedy must win at POA.Edge: Aliquippa.

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LINEBACKERS Aliquippa: With so many mercy-rule victories, it’s still hard to believe the Quips have surrendered only 85 points all season. That’s less a touchdown a game on average. Celo Chavis is a veteran ball hawk that covers plenty of ground. Wyomissing: OK, it might be all about the LBs considering Anzalone is headed to South Bend to play this position. He’s a nightmare for any opposition. Two-way standouts Brandon Gonzalez and Will Kroppe finish this outstanding crew.Edge: Wyomissing.

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SECONDARY Aliquippa: Plenty of teams have probably tried to throw when they fell behind, but this is a killer secondary. Henry is a Division I prospect at DB and Swanson is his partner at safety.Wyomissing: A big reason for Wyomissing’s plus-29 turnover margin, SS Brian Bamberger joins Burns, Cacchione and Smith in the defensive backfield. The unit, solid in run support, has secured 18 interceptions on the season.Edge: Aliquippa.

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SPECIAL TEAMS Aliquippa: Anything to do with kicking the ball is an adventure for Aliquippa. But, when the ball gets airborne coming their way, look out. We offer the speedy and shifty Henry and Swanson as examples. Wyomissing: Converted soccer dude Jonah Bowman has already booted eight field goals and made 68 conversions, one shy of a Berks County record. He can boom it. Tackling Anzalone on punt returns is seriously difficult. Edge: Wyomissing.

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COACHING Aliquippa: This is head coach Mike Zmijanic’s third appearance in the state final game since he took over the tradition-rich WPIAL program in 1997. He’s 1-1 in state final games. But he’s won 176 of his 204 games guiding the Quips. Wyomissing: Veteran Bob Wolfrum has compiled a sizzling 242-65-1 since opening his Wyomissing career in 1986. En route came six D3 titles, so chalk up another point for the beloved Wing-T.Edge: Even.